Christmas Tree Worm

ocean · coral reef · tube worm · colorful

Looks like a tiny tree. The Christmas tree worm has two spiral crowns on its head that look like miniature Christmas trees in red, orange, yellow, pink, or white. These aren't for decoration, they're actually for catching food and breathing.

Builds a stone tube. This worm creates a hard, white limestone tube around its soft body that stays glued to coral rocks. It spends most of its life hiding inside this homemade house for protection.

Lives on coral reefs. Christmas tree worms make their homes only in warm coral reef waters of the Caribbean Sea. They stay in one spot their entire lives, so they're great at making and decorating their tiny neighborhoods.

Super fast at hiding. If something touches or scares this worm, it can pull itself completely into its tube in less than a second. Its hidden trapdoor seals shut instantly to keep predators out.

Catches tiny food. The spiral crowns trap microscopic plants and animals from the water, which the worm then eats. It's like having a food-catching net right on top of your head.